Ventilating building block



April 1 {19.24.

E. R. GRUNDY VENTILATING BUILDING BLOCK Filed March 24, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 EDWAHD F1. GRu/wy April 1 1924. 1,488,670

E. R; GRUNDY VENTTLATING BUILDING BLOCK Filed March 24, 1925 Z'Sheets-Sheet 2 gwve'ntbi b 4 Erin M20 E. GBUJVD) 7 Z0 "a J 3511 0.

Patented Apr. l, 124

EDW'ARD R. GRUNIDY, 01* LITTLE RIVER, FLORIDA.

VENTILATING BUTELDTNG BLOCK.

Application filed March 24, 1823. Serial No. 627,417.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, EDWARD R. GRUNDY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Little River, in the county of Dads and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ventilating Building Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in building blocks of that general type which are formed of cement, concrete or other analogous composition or compositions, and in the present instance can be formed of clay and then burned similar to the manufacture of bricks.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new and more efficient form of building block having provision for providing and insuring complete ventilation throughout the walls of the building constructed of such blocks, and even providing for admission of air from the outside when desired.

It has for a further object to provide a block of this general character which shall be capable of manufacture at small cost and by the employment of simple mechanism, the core being easily removed after the block is molded.

I provide a block having spaced apart members with an intermediate integral spacing portion which may assume any desired shape provided it does not interfere with the withdrawal of the core after the block is formed. The block is provided with ventilating passages completely surrounding the integral spacing portion and open to the outer wall of the block. To assist in the withdrawal of the core the wall of the passage is tapered in the direction of its length. The corner blocks are so formed that in building up at the corners the corner blocks are interlocked without the employment of interengaging tongues and grooves. When the blocks are laid in the wall provision is made for the circulation of air up and down as well as horizontally throughout the entire wall, including the corners. A wall composed of my improved blocks can be plastered directly upon the blocks on the inside or stuccoed directly on the outside. The spacing portions serve to greatly brace and strengthen the wall without adding materially to the weight of the block. The blocks can be made of any desired size and shape as may be required.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claim.

The invention, in its preferred form, is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the numerals of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a wall at a corner built up of my improved blocks.

Figure 2 is a top plan with portions broken away.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a top plan of a portion of a wall showing how the blocks may be laid to provide free access to the atmosphere.

Figure 5 is a plan view of one of the blocks.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 66 of Figure 7.

Figure 7 is a top plan of a half block.

Figure 8 is a face view of a corner block.

Figure 9 is a top plan of a corner block.

Figure 10 is a face View of another form of corner block.

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the corner block shown in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a plan view of a modified form of block.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

In constructing my block I avoid the necessity of the employment of metallic rods for bracing means or for separating the side members of the block and mold the block with its spaced members and spacing portion all in one integral structure. I thus do not depend upon any metallic members that are apt to rust and deteriorate in use, and which members interfere with the withdrawal of the core.

Referring to the drawings my block will be seen as comprising the members 1 and 2 and the integral spacing portion 8. These three elements, but all in one integral struc ture, are embodied in all of the different forms or shapes of blocks. The block is formed in a suitable mold, the spacing portion 3 being given any desired form, but preferably with its walls tapered or curved to facilitate the Withdrawal of the core used in the casting or molding of the block.

In the present instance this spacing portion is shown as of elliptical form, but such is not necessary, as will be evident, it being readily understood that any "form in which the contour is of gradually decreased cross section from the centre toward the ends of the block so that the core can be easily withdrawn after the block is molded, will serve effectually. In order to further facilitate the withdrawalot the core the walls of the space between the members l and 2 are slightly tapered outward from the centre of the spacing portion 3 as will be clearly understood upon reference to Figure 5, at 4. The dimensions of the spacing portion may vary in accordance with the sizes or shape of the block, but in all instances it is of such size and shape relative to the adjacent walls of the members 1 and 2 to provide ventilating passages 5 between the members 1 and 2 all around the said spacing portion as seen clearly in Figure 3.

The block may be formed of cement, concrete, or any suitable composition, and in some instances may be termed of clay or a combination of substances embodying clay and the blockbalred.

All of the characteristics above enumerated are present in all the forms of blocks. I make blocks of different shapes and sizes to suit the conditions of use. In Figure 9 I show a corner block in which the one side member 1 is of greater length than the other side member, the member 1 being substantially one half the length of the corresponding member of a full sized block, the difference in length between the two members forming an offset 6. I

In Figure 11 I shov another corner block in which the number 1 is longer than the member 2", the member 1 being substantially one third the length of the corresponding member of a full sized block. This leaves an ofiset 7 as shown. These smaller blocks are for use at the corners of the wall.

In Figure 7 I have shown a block half the size the full sized block, and in this case the spacing member 3 extends to the end of the block at one end. It will be understood that in all these forms 01 blocks the ventilating space is present.

Figure 1 illustrates the manner of laying the blocks in the wall, which is not materially diilerent from the way in which blocks of this general character are usually laid. It is to be understood that the blocks are to be laid in cement or other mortar in the usual way. Figure 1 shows the corner blocks in place to form an interlock at the corner.

Figure 4 shows one or" the blocks at the corner laid so that its ventilating space is arranged to open to the atmosphere for an obvious purpose.

In some instances a block may have more than one spacing portion and ventilating passage. For instance as shown in Figure 12 the block has three spaced apart members 8, 9 and 10 with integral spacing portions 11 and 12. This provides two ventilating passages 13 and 14: in the one block. The passages are tapered as seen, the same as in the other rorms of block.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

hat is claimed as new is A building block for use at a corner, comprising in one integral structure spaced apart members of unequal length and a spacing portion joining the shorter member to the longer member at the inner end 0]": the shorter member, said spacing portion being of elongated form extended in the direction of the length or" said members.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EDWARD R. GRUNDY. 

